Sexual assault survivors and service providers were let down when Congress failed to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) this week. Maryland’s 17 rape crisis and recovery centers depend on VAWA’s critical funding to provide services to thousands of women, men, and children every year. MCASA's Sexual Assault Legal Institute, outreach efforts, and trainings all are linked to this vital funding. We are counting on the new 113th Congress to take action for all survivors of sexual violence.
Please call these leaders and urge them to take action to move a new inclusive VAWA forward:
Speaker John Boehner (R-OH): (202) 225-0600
Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA): (202) 225-4000
Please also let our Maryland Senators and your House member know that you urge them to renew their work on VAWA for 2013.
Senator Barbara Mikulski: (202) 224-4654
Senator Ben Cardin: (202) 224-4524
Rep. Andy Harris – District 1: (202) 225-5311
Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger – District 2: (202) 225-3061
Rep. John P. Sarbanes – District 3: (202) 225-4016
Rep. Donna F. Edwards – District 4: (202) 225-8699
Rep. Steny H. Hoyer – District 5: (202) 225-4131
Rep. John K. Delaney – District 6: No phone yet, tweet @JohnDelaney2012
Rep. Elijah Cummings – District 7: (202) 225-4741
Rep. Chris Van Hollen – District 8: (202) 225-5341
Use can use this script when calling: "Hello! My name is ____, I live and vote in Maryland and I’m calling about the Violence Against Women Act. It's so disappointing that Congress failed to reauthorize VAWA last session. One in five women experiences rape in her lifetime and Congress can make a difference in changing this. Please reauthorize VAWA immediately. Will [Congress member's name] help with this?"
We know our list is long, but please work together with your friends and colleagues to contact as many leaders as possible. Too much depends on this for us to give up now. Thank you for all of your continued efforts.
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Your donation supports Maryland sexual assault survivors and their families through programs such as the Sexual Assault Legal Institute (SALI), which offers free legal services, as well as our work to pass tough legislation that holds sexual assault offenders accountable for their crimes.
